Today in History: Cleopatra commits suicide

Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, was known for her exotic beauty and seduction. However, she was much more than just an enchantress, she was an influential ruler.

Cleopatra, born in 69 B.C., was crowned the queen of Egypt at just 18-years-old upon the death of her father, Ptolemy XII. Together, her and her 10-year-old brother, Ptolemy XIII ruled Egypt.

The royal siblings soon began to disagree on matters, and a full-fledged civil war broke out in 48 B.C. Cleopatra soon became close with the infamous Julius Caesar, as Rome had become the greatest power in the western world. She wanted to advance her political power in anyway she could...which meant seducing Caesar.

With Caesar now at her beck and call, her brother was killed by Caesar's men during battle. Years later, Cleopatra most likely killed another brother of her's, in order to further advance her reign once more.

After Caesar was assassinated in Rome, Cleopatra sought her sights on new Roman power, Marc Antony. She succeeded in her conquest, and bore three children with the Roman general.

Years later, after a defeat battle with the newest Roman ruler, Octavian, Cleopatra and Marc Antony both committed suicide. Historians speculate that Cleopatra killed herself with a bite from a poisonous serpent, called an Asp. On August 30, 30 B.C., the ruthless seductress of Egypt was gone.

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Today in History: Cleopatra commits suicide

This Day in History: August 30th, 30 B.C.

Cleopatra commits suicide

Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, was known for her exotic beauty and seduction. However, she was much more than just an enchantress, she was an influential ruler.

Based on the 1900 children's novel "The Wonderful Life of Oz," by L. Frank Baum, "The Wizard of Oz" told the story of Dorothy, played by the beloved Judy Garland, a young Kansas farm girl, who, after being knocked unconscious in a tornado, dreams about following a yellow brick road.

56 years ago today, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the proclamation welcoming Hawaii into the United States. It was on this same day that the president ordered a new U.S. flag to be made, featuring 50 stars arranged in staggered rows: five six-star rows and four five-star rows.

81 years ago today, the first federal prisoners arrived at Alcatraz Island. On August 11, 1934, the "most dangerous" prisoners in the United States were put on the mysterious island situated 1.5 miles off the coast of San Francisco.

On August 7th, 2007, Barry Bonds hit home run No. 756, braking Hank Aaron's previous record of 755.

(Jed Jacobsohn via Getty Images)

This Day in History: August 6th, 1945

Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima

On August 6, 1945, the United States became the first an only nation to use an atomic weapon during war when Enola Gay -- an American bomber -- dropped a five-ton atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

The Frank family escaped from Germany in 1942, out of fear of being sent to a Nazi concentration camp. With the help of a few good-hearted samaritans in Amsterdam, they were able to stay hidden for a total of 25 months. On August 1, 1944, 15-year-old Frank penned the last entry in her diary.